Sweet Elite tells mountain bikers to watch out’

The Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory/Devo Sweet Elite mountain bike team is putting its opposition on notice.

“The ... team has two words for the competition: Watch out!,” reads a news release to The Durango Herald.

The six-person Durango-based team kicks off its third season April 13 with the Rumble at 18 in Fruita, with 10 more races to follow, including the Ironhorse Bicycle Class in Durango and a bevy of other high-profile state- and national-championship races.

This year’s team, ranging in age from 17 to 24, features returners Payson McElveen, defending U23 Champion Lauren Catlin, Sepp Kuss and Sarah Sturm, and newcomers Stephan Davoust and Kaylee Blevins, both call-ups from the Devo developmental program.

“We’re psyched to have six really talented athletes this year,” said Chad Cheeney, who manages and coaches the Sweet Elite team, in the news release. “We’ve really worked hard to dial in our training and focus on key races, plus we have great equipment and support thanks to our awesome sponsors and advisory board.

“We’re ready to crush it this year.”

To be eligible for the Sweet Elite team, a rider must be a Devo U14/19 program graduate and a student at Fort Lewis College, or a Durango local younger than 25.